As a result, the groups say AT&T’s decision would confine their extension of Lifeline broadband to very limited regions of its service territory.

Blitz Week

Register for FierceTelecom Blitz Week - June 15-18

As the telecom industry moves forward in the age of new technology, FierceTelecom Blitz week addresses the questions of how platforms, providers, and more will modernize to keep up with these fast-paced changes and their current status of implementing these changes. Join us June 15-18 to dive deep into the world of telecom transformation.

AT&T said in a blog post issued before the Thanksgiving holiday that while the Lifeline broadband requirements for service providers are now taking effect, the National Eligibility Verifier will not be fully implemented until 2019. What this means is service providers will have to abide by the same administrative and compliance issues as before the reforms were enacted.

“AT&T wireline currently has less than 3% of the voice Lifeline market,” AT&T said in a blog post. “Accepting the forbearance means we still have the option to offer Lifeline discounts on broadband. But it makes little sense to spend resources on implementation of soon-to-be-replaced administrative rules for a new service when we are already offering low-income consumers a better deal through our Access from AT&T program.”

AT&T said that in opting for forbearance, the telco “will not offer a Lifeline discount on our broadband products at this time except where we deploy broadband as part of a high-cost funded public interest commitment.”

Jessica J. González, EVP and general counsel at the National Hispanic Media Coalition, said in a release that her organization is fearful that AT&T’s decision could prompt other large telcos to take a similar action.

“Lifeline is an historic initiative that will help connect millions of Americans to the home and mobile broadband that could serve as their pathway out of poverty with access to greater educational and economic opportunities,” Gonzalez said. “AT&T’s decision to opt out of obligations sets a dangerous precedent for other carriers who may also choose to neglect low-income customers.”

In April, AT&T launched the "Access from AT&T" program to provide inexpensive home wired internet service to Americans who live in the carrier's 21-state service area and who participate in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program. At least one resident must participate in SNAP, and cannot have outstanding debt with AT&T connected to internet service or the Access program.

As part of the Access from AT&T program, the telco is also offering an in-home Wi-Fi modem through the program and access to its 30,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide.

News of AT&T’s decision comes on the heels of the FCC’s vote to modernize the Lifeline program by allowing low-income Americans to apply their Lifeline discount to broadband service plans that meet certain minimum standards.

The FCC order allowed for existing Lifeline providers to exempt themselves from the broadband obligation.